Breach, Compliance Management, Data Security, Privacy

Professor reportedly hacked by NSA/GCHQ questions “proof” of attack

Contrary to reports, famed Belgian cryptography professor Jean-Jacques Quisquater is questioning whether the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Britain's GCHQ compromised his PC and extracted encrypted data.

Earlier this week Belgian newspaper De Standaard reported that as a result of an investigation launched into the cyber attack on Belgium telecom company, Belgacom, malware was found on the professor's machine.

However, according to an interview with TechWeekEurope, Quisquater is not sure if he was targeted by the foreign intelligence agencies, claiming it was a “premature announcement by the press.” In addition, two researchers notified him that the tactics used in his attack were not employed by the NSA.

The cryptography expert is best known for his work on algorithms applied to widely-used electronic chips. Quisquater has filed a formal complaint and authorities are investigating the breach.

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